Chapter 183: Red Fish Gains a Name, Fortune Shows Its Face

The banquet was especially lively. Guests raised their glasses, chatting and laughing as they drank. Tang Mingjing moved among them, toasting and conversing. In less than an hour, he was completely drunk.

Yun Xiang sat beside Mr. Chen, curious about the moment during the wedding ceremony when he had flicked tea water.

“What was that flick of tea you gave my sister-in-law meant to be?”

Chen Changsheng replied, “A casual gift, nothing much. If you’re curious, ask your sister-in-law tomorrow.”

Yun Xiang smiled and said, “It must have been an amazing present.”

With so many guests coming and going, the banquet grew a bit chaotic. A few uninvited individuals had slipped in unnoticed.

By the wall of Tang Manor, a little girl in a red dress peeked over the top.

She sniffed the air, catching the scent of wine. Her eyes lit up instantly. With a light leap into the yard, she crept toward the feast in the Main Hall.

“Hey, whose child are you?” a guest asked, spotting her.

Without blushing or flinching, the girl answered obediently, “My dad’s surname is Liu. He sent me to get a bowl of wine for him!”

“What a well-behaved girl!”

“Yes, indeed!”

“Come, come! Take this whole jug!”

The little girl giggled, thanked them, and headed to the next table.

“My dad’s surname is Liu!”

Starting then, she went from table to table, tricking guests into giving her wine. She drank as she walked. Round after round, she managed to collect several pounds of wine.

Seeing she had enough, she found a quiet corner and drank by herself.

“Hehe, hehehe!”

“Glug, glug!”

She gulped straight from the jugs. Yet, less than fifteen minutes later, all seven or eight jugs were empty.

The girl let out a drunken burp. Her little face glowed bright pink.

Pouting, she mumbled, “Still feels like it’s not quite enough.”

She hadn’t had her fill.

The girl thought for a moment, then got up and ran back toward the banquet.

Her cheeks flushed, she reached a table.

“Miss, may I have a bowl of wine?”

Yun Xiang heard the voice and turned to see a young girl in red clothes. She looked genuinely sweet and well-behaved.

Yun Xiang brought her over, sat her in her lap, and asked with a smile, “Whose child are you?”

The girl blinked. “My dad’s surname is Liu. He sent me to get some wine!”

“Surname Liu…”

Yun Xiang thought for a moment. “Are you Third Master Liu’s family?”

The girl paused, blinking. “Uh… yes?”

Then, suddenly, a voice beside her chimed in.

“You have a father?”

Hearing this, the girl froze.

She turned and locked eyes with a familiar face.

Chen Changsheng held a wine cup, staring at the girl. He’d seen her outside the city just yesterday. He thought the little Red Fish would have been knocked out for days after drinking then. Never expected she’d sneak into Tang Manor today hunting for more wine.

The girl’s eyes widened, pointing at Chen Changsheng. “It’s you!!”

She snapped back to reality and tried to bolt.

But Chen Changsheng grabbed her clothes before she could.

“Quite the bold one, daring to return and steal wine,” Chen Changsheng hauled her closer.

The girl struggled, yelling, “Let me go! Let me go! Chen, you let go of me!”

Yun Xiang watched, stunned.

“Sir, who is…?”

Chen Changsheng flicked the girl gently on the forehead.

“Ouch!”

The girl clutched her forehead. Her eyes blinked rapidly, as if she might cry.

Chen Changsheng asked, “Don’t think those pitiful eyes will win me over. Didn’t I already give you wine yesterday? Why come steal more?”

The girl pouted. “That bit wasn’t enough!”

“You little rascal, why such greed for wine!”

“Me? Little? If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be stuck like this!”

“You were eager for a drink yourself!”

“You could’ve just said no! So yes, it’s your fault! Your fault, your fault!”

Chen Changsheng chuckled helplessly. “You’re nothing like an actual demon.”

The girl shot him a look, hugged her arms stubbornly, and gave up on escaping.

Yun Xiang, stunned by his mention, asked, “Is she…?” Her voice caught. “A monster?”

“Surely… she doesn’t seem like one?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “A red fish demon from the Lotus Pond.”

The little girl glanced at him, sighing in frustration. “Why do I keep running into you every time I sneak wine?! Such bad luck!”

Chen Changsheng paused, then laughed, “I feel the same way.”

“Ai…”

The girl sighed, a trace of melancholy in her eyes. “Do whatever you want now. Kill me if you please.”

Chen Changsheng’s eyes gleamed. “You said it yourself.”

“Huh?”

The girl blinked nervously. “Umm… I’m this adorable… you wouldn’t actually hurt me, right?”

Chen Changsheng stroked his chin thoughtfully, “Red Fish meat isn’t particularly good… but it might make a decent soup.”

“How vicious!” yelled the girl. Panic set in.

She glanced from Chen Changsheng to herself.

“Done for, done for…

Is he really going to eat me?

He shouldn’t be that type… right?

But maybe…”

She suddenly turned her tear-filled eyes toward him. She sniffled pitifully, hoping to sway him.

Unexpectedly, Chen Changsheng flicked her forehead again.

“No tears allowed. Hold them back,” he told her.

The girl was speechless, looking miserable. “Now you’re just bullying a fish!”

Yun Xiang watched her forlorn expression and couldn’t help but smile behind her hand.

Yun Xiang said, “How can she be so sweet? Are you truly a demon?”

Chen Changsheng released the girl and nudged her toward Yun Xiang. “It’s just a convincing act.”

Spotting her chance to flee, the girl instantly shifted to dart away.

Yun Xiang swiftly scooped her back into her lap.

“Do you have a name?” Yun Xiang asked softly.

The girl tried squirming free again, but a silent look from Chen Changsheng made her freeze.

Chewing his food, Chen Changsheng ordered firmly, “Answer truthfully.”

A tiny shiver went through the girl. “No name,” she admitted.

Yun Xiang persisted gently, “You truly are a demon?”

“Mhm.”

Yun Xiang gently smoothed the girl’s hair, still charmed by her demeanor. Softly, she said, “You still need a name.”

“A name?”

The girl paused, surprised. Her mouth opened slightly, silent, but didn’t refuse.

Inside, she had always longed for one.

“Red Fish… Red Fish…” Yun Xiang murmured thoughtfully.

The girl blinked nervously. “Um…”

Suddenly, Yun Xiang brightened. “Red brocade graces Jiangnan, fish leap free in the Lotus Pond. How about using ‘Yu’ as your surname? And ‘Hong Jin’ as your name? What do you think?”

The girl froze, staring at the gentle young woman.

The name… felt perfect.

Chen Changsheng paused mid-movement. He looked over. Girl and monster were gazing intently at each other.

An almost imperceptible wisp of fortune seemed to drift through the air, landing softly on Yun Xiang’s brow.

This was the Red Fish’s fortune – a blessing of prosperity and fate.

Chen Changsheng looked away, picking up more food with his chopsticks. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips.

Favorable fate had arrived. Harm and misfortune were now distant.

Wonderful.

Truly wonderful.